Palatine Firefighters Memorial Dedication Ceremony

On Saturday, February 23, the Palatine Fire Department will host a brief ceremony to recognize the service and sacrifice of three Palatine volunteer firefighters who died in the line of duty. On this day in 1973, volunteer firefighters John Wilson, Richard Freeman and Warren Ahlgrim lost their lives fighting a fire in the Ben Franklin store in downtown Palatine. The early morning fire started in the basement of the retail store and quickly spread throughout the building. Wilson, Freeman, and Ahlgrim were on the first hose line and died while fighting the fire in the basement. The Palatine Fire Honor Guard will step off from Station 85 at approximately 8:45 AM and march to the Palatine Firefighters Memorial. The ceremony will begin with the arrival of the Honor Guard at approximately 9 AM. Members of the Palatine Fire Department Honor Guard will present a wreath and perform a brief bell ceremony honoring the three firefighters that paid the ultimate sacrifice 46 years ago.